Prep Girls Hoops NM: Gatorade Player of the Year Race
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With the upcoming Girls Basketball season in New Mexico less than a week away, we take a look at the Gatorade Player of the Year Race and how it can shape out this season. These players each make a strong…
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Continue ReadingWith the upcoming Girls Basketball season in New Mexico less than a week away, we take a look at the Gatorade Player of the Year Race and how it can shape out this season. These players each make a strong claim for the award.
Bella Hines Bella Hines 5'10" | CG Eldorado | 2025 State NM the star sophomore point guard from Eldorado High School comes into this season with an insane amount of offers throughout the summer and the off-season. As a freshman Bella averaged an incredible 22.8 points per game. She was selected to First Team All-Metro, First Team All-District and Second Team All-State as a freshman. The scary part is that she has gotten better throughout the off-season from competing outside the state and holding her own. With a year of experience under her belt, expect Bella Hines Bella Hines 5'10" | CG Eldorado | 2025 State NM to be in the race for a lot of individual accolades this season.
Eva Love Eva Love 5'9" | SG La Cueva | 2024 State NM of the La Cueva Bears is heading into her third season with this program. She is now a three-year varsity player and two year varsity starter for the La Cueva Bears. Eva Love Eva Love 5'9" | SG La Cueva | 2024 State NM was the best player on a Bears team that reached the 5A State Semifinals last year and was one basket away from the State Championship Game. She was selected to Second Team All-Metro and Second Team All-State last year. Expect a breakout season from the Star shooting guard after the Bears losing several key players from last season.
Leilani Love from Albuquerque comes into this season as the top rated Center in the state and in the discussion as the best overall. She is a reliable double-double machine that affects the games on both ends of the floor with her scoring, rebounding and defense. She was the states leading rebounder, the 6th leading scorer and the 5th leading shot blocker last season. Leilani Love officially made her commitment to Colorado State University Pueblo.
Taejhuan Hill Taejhuan Hill 5'11" | C Volcano Vista | 2024 State NM the back to back State Champion from Volcano Vista is on the verge of having her best season of her high school career so far. Of each of the players on this list, expect Hill’s numbers to increase the most across the board including her scoring, rebounding and playing time. She will be the centerpiece of the Hawks for the next two seasons as they prepare thier title defense this upcoming season.
Sydney Benally Sydney Benally 5'9" | PG Sandia | 2025 State NM is arguably the best two-way player on this list and arguably in the state as well. The Sandia sophomore point guard can take over a game on both sides of the floor and can impact the game in more ways than others. As a freshman last season, Sydney Benally Sydney Benally 5'9" | PG Sandia | 2025 State NM was selected to Second Team All-Metro and Second Team All-State. Throughout the off-season she has taken her game to another level since the end of last year and received lots of interests from colleges.
Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM from Las Cruces is heading into her senior season soon with a lot of expectations from last season. The Las Cruces Star point guard was selected to Second Team All-State last season after leading the Bulldawgs to the 5A State Quarterfinals. Emma Christiano Emma Christiano 5'4" | PG Las Cruces | 2023 State NM led Las Cruces in scoring, passing, steals and came in second in rebounding even as a point guard. She is one of the most all-around players in the state and will be in the conversation for a lot of things this year.